| At the end of a long day, as you snuggle into | | | | bedding has pores that are woven tight enough |
| your pillows and sheets, you may not realize how | | | | so that mites can't penetrate them. Dust mites |
| happy you've just made several million dust mites. | | | | will retreat to the insides of your pillow and |
| More dust mites live in your bed than any other | | | | mattress when you are no longer in bed. |
| area of your home. During the day, they mull | | | | Encasements become a barrier between you and |
| around in your mattress, waiting for you to | | | | dust mites which are naturally attracted by your |
| return-because you are their absolutely favorite | | | | body heat |
| environment! Your body supplies them with | | | | HEPA Filter for your Bedroom |
| warmth, food and water which is everything they | | | | It is recommended that you run a HEPA filter to |
| require to flourish and raise their hordes of | | | | remove airborne dust mite waste and the mite's |
| offspring. | | | | food source-dead skin cells-from the air. Make |
| I'm sure that the thought of your bed being full of | | | | sure that you only use an air purifier with a HEPA |
| dust mites makes your skin crawl-but even | | | | filter-ionizers (which are often claimed to be good |
| worse, these dust mites often make your | | | | for allergies) will cause dust mite allergen particles |
| allergies unbearable. It is impossible to exterminate | | | | to stick together, but because of their tiny size, |
| every mite from your bed (or home for that | | | | they do not become heavy enough to fall out of |
| matter), but if you are sensitive to dust mite | | | | the air or be attracted to collection grids. HEPA air |
| allergens, then there are several methods you can | | | | filters are preferred for relief from allergies |
| use to reduce your exposure. | | | | asthma and endorsed by most allergists and |
| Because the majority of dust mites live in your | | | | allergy/asthma associations. |
| bed, your bedroom is the best place to start your | | | | Vacuuming and Steam Cleaning Carpets |
| mite-proofing. | | | | It has been found that sweeping with a regular |
| Bedding: | | | | vacuum may not actually remove dust mites, but |
| Hot Water Wash | | | | rather redistribute them and cause more allergens |
| Washing bedding once a week is recommended | | | | to become airborne. Using a vacuum with rotating |
| for anyone with dust mite allergies. For severe | | | | brushes does give substantially better results than |
| allergies or allergic asthma, you can try washing | | | | one relying simply on suction-but now most HEPA |
| your sheets and pillow cases at a higher | | | | filter vacuums are becoming increasingly |
| temperature (104-140 degrees F) as there is | | | | affordable and are best suited to the job of |
| research that reveals this can kill dust mites and | | | | cleaning up allergens. It is also suggested that |
| basically renders the allergen harmless. Certain | | | | steaming carpets every 2 months can greatly |
| delicate or brightly colored materials may not hold | | | | reduce dust mite numbers in carpets. It is |
| up well if they are constantly washed at high | | | | important to use steam as opposed to hot water |
| temperatures. | | | | vacuums, because hot water vacs allows |
| The Freezer Treatment | | | | moisture to seep deep into the carpet and |
| Putting porous items (like blankets, sheets, pillows, | | | | padding beneath. This extra moisture will create a |
| stuffed animals, etc) in plastic bags and putting | | | | population boom for the mites. |
| them in the freezer for 48 hours will kill dust | | | | A Couple of Final Tips: |
| mites. After you remove your bedding from the | | | | - Vacuuming increases airborne particles for about |
| freezer, make sure that you wash each article. | | | | 20-30 minutes-so if you have allergies, have |
| The freezer may kill dust mites, but without | | | | someone else do the vacuuming and step outside |
| rinsing away the dead mites and their fecal | | | | until all of the allergens settle back down. |
| matter, you will still be exposed to their allergen. | | | | - Never go to sleep with freshly-showered, damp |
| Mite Detergents | | | | hair-the ever-thirsty mites will crawl out of your |
| Several companies sell anti-dust mite laundry | | | | bedding and flock to your head to wet their |
| additives that eliminate the need for washing in | | | | whistle. |
| hot water temperatures. Typically they use one | | | | - If you have severe dust mite allergies, your |
| of several natural, essential oils to kill the mites, | | | | wall-to-wall carpeting may end up being your |
| such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil or lavender oil. | | | | worst enemy. It may be worth it to invest in |
| There also is a chemical called benzyl benozoate | | | | hardwood or laminate floors. |
| that is used in laundry additives and is known for | | | | - Curtains should be washed as often as you |
| eliminating dust mites. | | | | wash your bedding. Long curtains harbor the most |
| Allergy Bedding and Encasements | | | | mites, but there are ways to give up curtains |
| Another valuable tip for keeping mite out of your | | | | without throwing away your style: consider |
| room would be investing in some anti-dust mite | | | | hanging some sophisticated bamboo or wooden |
| bedding. The fabric used to make this sort of | | | | blinds. |